Tokayev reminds all branches of government of their constitutional duty

Tengrinews.kz — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that fulfilling social obligations is a constitutional duty of all branches of government, citing Akorda.

A ceremony marking Medical Worker’s Day was held today at Akorda. In his speech, the Head of State congratulated doctors on their professional holiday and spoke about the state’s social obligations.

“According to the New Constitution, Kazakhstan is a social state. Therefore, fulfilling obligations in the social sphere is the constitutional duty of all branches of government and, of course, the government,” the President said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stressed that this duty is being successfully fulfilled. Last year, more than 9 trillion tenge, or nearly 18 billion dollars, was allocated from the national budget alone for social needs.

“A huge amount,” the Head of State emphasized.

The President also described the implementation of the guaranteed volume of free medical care program as a constitutional duty.

“This is a unique program in terms of its social focus, with no equivalent abroad, at least in terms of the number of free medical services. And this program is enshrined in our Constitution; it is a constitutional obligation. This should be said out loud as a real achievement of our state,” Tokayev said.

The Head of State also drew attention to the conditions created in Kazakhstan for women after childbirth.

“Just think of the benefits our women receive after giving birth: three years of maternity leave with corresponding payments and job retention. These are unique conditions for women in labor and young mothers. I worked in the West, particularly in Switzerland, and studied this system. Such a system does not exist there, in Switzerland or in other Western countries,” the President said.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev added that, thanks to the introduction of innovations, high treatment standards and a balance between price and quality of services, Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a regional medical tourism center.

“Thanks to the dynamic introduction of innovations, high treatment standards and a carefully balanced price-to-quality ratio of services, our country is confidently establishing itself as a regional medical tourism center,” the Head of State concluded.